The Ten Commandments Project Blog
Bamidbar: Numbers by Division
While Mt. Sinai’s covenant was a unifying, the Torah Portion Bamidbar’s happenings were dividing. With the nation’s birth-sanctified with a community of code of conduct- the Ten Commandments – unity was abound. In Bamidbar, a nation’s realities are confronted. The Torah Portion Bamidbar is about organization, allocation, and bean counting; it is the moment upon…
Naso: A Blessing Like No Other
May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam-And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you’re far from home- And may you grow to be proud dignified and true- And do unto others as you’d have done to you. Rod Stewart The Torah Portion Naso’s Priestly Blessing is one of the…
Shavuot Connections?
One of the Israelite’s earliest writings is tied to Shavuot- the celebration of the Ten Commandments’ receipt at Mt. Sinai. The Song of Deborah’s connection to both the Exodus and Mt. Sinai Covenant is striking. While Deborah’s exploits and the Exodus’ events share a theme of freedom, Deborah’s remembrance of Mt. Sinai experience is quite…
A Review and Critique of: How the Bible Became a Book: The Textualization of Ancient Israel
In How the Bible Became a Book: The Textualization of Ancient Israel, Professor William Schniedewind provides a plausible theory when scripture transformed. Once what was the authoritative oral tradition became supplanted by the emerging technology of writing. The book’s importance is beyond scriptural analysis. Rather, it presents as an episode of humanity confronting and struggling…
Behar: Slipping?
For over 35 years, I have represented individuals who have suffered tremendous life setbacks. Some have lost their jobs, their housing, or their ability to support themselves. Some have been chronically homeless. An epiphany came from these thirty-plus years of both observation of and interaction with distressed individuals: it is far more productive to help…
Going Postal in April
April’s lunacy was thick with karma. Years ago in Santa Rosa on a spacious vineyard dotted highway, an immortal battle of wills erupted. It began as a clash of titans- Attorney versus Wild Turkey. It wasn’t the spirit, it was a real bird; and it wasn’t talking. Rather, the ornery wild thing was blocking the…
Emor: All Things Being Equal
Everybody must get stoned Bob Dylan “An eye for an eye” is perhaps the most misunderstood Torah passage. Its literal interpretation sparks controversy. Often, it is interpreted as endorsing a barbaric means of justice. Mahatma Gandhi- allegedly- savaged the Torah Portion Emor passage with the assertion: “an eye for an eye will make the whole…
Kedoshim: Ten Commandments Plus?
What looks like the Ten Commandments, sounds like the Ten Commandments, but isn’t the Ten Commandments? Torah Portion Kedoshim would be a good answer. Kedoshim, however, is more than the Decalogue. Kedoshim- part of Leviticus’ Holiness Code- serves a different purpose. The Torah Portion Kedoshim, while covering most of the Decalogue’s commandments, also contains additional…
A Secular Ten Commandments’ Takeaway
An archaeological discovery provides ample evidence how the Ten Commandments (Decalogue) promotes secular societal values. An ancient pottery shard rather than the Ten Commandments’ two stone tablets proves this assertion. A writing of either a mere scribe or laborer speaks volumes for the one inscribed by the finger of God. Exodus 31:18. The scribe or…
Acharei: On Representation
“Who represents me?” and “How did they get to represent me?” constituted puzzling political and theological questions for the Children of Israel. The Torah Portion Acharei is an example of Israelite representation’s confusing and circular nature. Acharei’s priestly representation assignment for atonement marks as a starting point for this Post’s exploration of scripture’s elections, authorizations,…
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The Ten Commandments Project 